Wireless sensors system and method of using same

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring airflow at heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) diffusers is described. The apparatus comprises a capture hood comprising a lightweight carbon fiber frame, a fabric skirt portion supported by said frame, and a base. A grid-type probe is disposed within the capture hood. An airflow sensor module is carried by the capture hood and arranged to sense airflow data. The airflow sensor module comprises a transmitter to wirelessly transmit airflow data to a control module. The apparatus further comprises retainer apparatus to retain the capture hood in flow communication with a diffuser.

1 . Apparatus for measuring airflow at heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) diffusers, comprising:
 a capture hood, said capture hood comprising a lightweight carbon fiber frame, a fabric skirt portion supported by said frame, and a base;   a grid-type probe disposed within said capture hood;   an airflow sensor module carried by said capture hood and arranged to sense airflow data, said airflow sensor module comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit airflow data to a control module; and   retainer apparatus to retain said capture hood in flow communication with a diffuser.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least one of a temperature sensor module disposed comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit temperature data to said control module and a humidity sensor module comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit humidity data to said control module.   
     
     
         3 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and said at least one of a temperature sensor module temperature data and said humidity sensor module humidity data.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises one or more magnets.   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises a plurality of spring clips.   
     
     
         6 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises a floor support.   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising:
 a display operated to displaying measurements derived from said airflow data.   
     
     
         8 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 said display receives said measurements from said control module.   
     
     
         9 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein:
 said display receives said measurements wirelessly from said control module.   
     
     
         10 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and airflow data obtained from at least one additional capture hood.   
     
     
         11 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and said at least one of said temperature sensor module temperature data and said humidity sensor module humidity data and selectively displaying additional measurements derived from airflow data and at least one of a temperature sensor module temperature data and humidity sensor module humidity data from at least one additional capture hood.   
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for measuring airflow at heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) diffusers, comprising:
 a capture hood, said capture hood comprising, a lightweight carbon fiber base, lightweight frame supported by lightweight rods, and a fabric skirt supported by said base and said frame;   a grid-type probe disposed within said capture hood; and   an airflow sensor module carried by said capture hood to obtain airflow data, said airflow sensor module comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit airflow data to a control module.   
     
     
         13 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , comprising:
 at least one of a temperature sensor module disposed comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit temperature data to said control module and a humidity sensor module comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit humidity data to said control module.   
     
     
         14 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and said at least one of a temperature sensor module temperature data and said humidity sensor module humidity data.   
     
     
         15 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , comprising:
 retainer apparatus to retain said capture hood in flow communication with a diffuser.   
     
     
         16 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises one or more magnets. 
 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises a plurality of spring clips.   
     
     
         18 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein:
 said retainer apparatus comprises a floor support.   
     
     
         19 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , comprising:
 a display operated to display measurements derived from said airflow data.   
     
     
         20 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein:
 said display receives said measurements from said control module.   
     
     
         21 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein:
 said display receives said measurements wirelessly from said control module.   
     
     
         22 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and airflow data obtained from at least one additional capture hood.   
     
     
         23 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , comprising:
 a display, said display selectively displaying measurements derived from said airflow data and said at least one of a temperature sensor module temperature data and said humidity sensor module humidity data and selectively displaying additional measurements derived from airflow data and at least one of a temperature sensor module temperature data and humidity sensor module humidity data from at least one additional capture hood.   
     
     
         24 . Apparatus for simultaneous measuring airflow at a plurality of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) diffusers, comprising:
 a plurality of capture hoods, each hood of said plurality of capture hoods being in airflow communication with a corresponding one of said HVAC diffusers;   each capture hood of said plurality of capture hoods comprising:
 a lightweight carbon fiber base, lightweight frame supported by lightweight rods, and a fabric skirt supported by said base and said frame; 
 a grid-type probe disposed within said capture hood; and 
 an airflow sensor module carried by said capture hood to obtain airflow data, said airflow sensor module comprising a transmitter to wirelessly transmit airflow data to a control module. 
   
     
     
         25 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 24 , comprising:
 at least one display, said display selectively, simultaneously displaying measurements derived from airflow data obtained from each said capture hood said plurality of capture hoods.   
     
     
         26 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 24 , comprising:
 at least one of said capture hoods being disposed in airflow communication with an HVAC airflow inlet.   
     
     
         27 . Apparatus in accordance with  claim 26 , comprising:
 at least one display, said display selectively, simultaneously displaying measurements derived from airflow data obtained from each said capture hood said plurality of capture hoods.